The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged the Federal Government to focus on addressing the country's worsening insecurity rather than prioritizing the 2027 elections. In a statement, the forum's National Publicity Secretary, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, emphasized that the continued attacks, killings, abductions, and destruction of livelihoods by armed groups pose an existential threat to Nigeria. The ACF accused political office holders of paying greater attention to electioneering than the security and welfare of citizens.
The ACF expressed concern over the continued abduction of citizens, citing scores of children still being held by terrorists in Borno, Kwara, and other states. Many other victims remain in captivity under horrendous conditions. The group also cited recent attacks in Zamfara State, where five separate incidents were recorded in one day, resulting in deaths, abductions, and looting of property. Similar incidents have been reported in Plateau and Taraba states, as well as Benue, Niger, Katsina, and Kogi states.
The forum raised alarm over increasing cases of abductions, killings, and ransom demands in Chikun Local Government Area and other communities in and around Kaduna metropolis. It also expressed concern over the reported abduction of prospective National Youth Service Corps members traveling to report at their orientation camp in Imo State, who were still being held as of the time of issuing the statement. These incidents represent only a fraction of the security challenges confronting communities across the country.
The ACF questioned how much more violence, bloodshed, and abductions citizens must endure before those responsible for their protection take decisive action. The forum criticized what it described as the growing preoccupation of elected officials and other politically exposed persons with the 2027 elections. According to the ACF, governance and protection of citizens must take precedence over political campaigns and re-election concerns.
The ACF faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Independence Anniversary address, saying the speech made only a fleeting reference to insecurity despite the scale of the crisis confronting the country. The forum urged the government to urgently redirect its attention towards tackling insecurity, warning that every new incident of violence should be treated as one too many.
The ACF reiterated its call for urgent action to protect communities and restore security, stressing that political considerations should not be allowed to overshadow the government's primary responsibility of protecting lives and property. The forum emphasized that now is the time to stop the politics and end the killings.
The Arewa Consultative Forum's call for action comes as insecurity continues to worsen across Nigeria, with various groups and individuals affected. The government has been urged to take concrete steps to address the security challenges and ensure the safety of citizens.
Key points
- The ACF has called on the Federal Government to prioritize insecurity over the 2027 elections.
- The forum expressed concern over the continued abduction of citizens, citing scores of children still being held by terrorists in several states.
- The ACF faulted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Independence Anniversary address, saying it made only a fleeting reference to insecurity.
